Shrimp and Tiny Plastic: A Hidden Danger in Our Oceans

Plastic pollution is a big problem in our oceans. Tiny plastic pieces, called microplastics, are everywhere. But how do they affect sea life? A recent study looked at how these microplastics impact young shrimp. The focus was on polyethylene microplastics, which are tiny plastic spheres. The study fed shrimp different amounts of these microplastics over 28 days. The shrimp were given feed with 0, 30, 75, and 150 milligrams of microplastics per kilogram. Surprisingly, the shrimp's growth and survival were not affected. However, the microplastics did accumulate in the shrimp's digestive system. The highest amount of microplastics was found in the shrimp's gastrointestinal tract and liver-like organ. This raised concerns about potential health issues. The study also found damage to the shrimp's digestive tissues. The damage was more severe in shrimp that ate the highest amount of microplastics. Despite the damage, the shrimp's overall health seemed fine. This suggests that while microplastics may not kill shrimp, they can still cause internal harm. The study highlights the need for more research. Different types of plastics, shapes, and exposure times should be studied further.